Securing a Seabird Sancturary: Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area

Ocean Conservation

Safeguarding millions of migrating seabirds from around the world

The Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area (mNWA) off the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island is a global hub for migratory birds. Over one million seabirds nest in colonies on the marine protected area’s five stormy, foggy, and rocky islands. Outside of the breeding season, millions of seabirds from across the Pacific Ocean feed in the surrounding rich waters. Internationally recognized as an important bird area, it provides important habitat for seabirds, alongside fish, seals, sea lions, whales and other marine mammals.

Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area located off the north tip of Vancouver Island

Goal

As part of the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network, strong protection through the completion of a management plan that is co-developed with Indigenous Nations, applies an ecosystem-based approach, and implements Canada’s Marine Protected Area Protection Standards.

Quick Facts

Size

Over 11,000 km²

Location

The ocean waters off the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island surrounding the Scott Islands

Important Bird Area

The Scott Islands are home to 90% of Canada’s tufted puffins, 95% of Pacific Canada’s common murres, 50% of the world’s Cassin’s auklets and 7% of the world’s rhinoceros auklets.

Seabird Hotspot

5 to 10 million migratory seabirds spend time here each year, with many species travelling vast distances across the Pacific

Key Forage Species

The nutrient rich waters are home to important seabird food species such as Pacific sand lance and North Pacific krill

Sea lion Rookery

Triangle Island supports the largest Steller sea lion breeding colony in Canada

a flotilla of common murres, dark coloured seabirds, floating on top of the ocean

Photo by: Nathan Earley (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist

A tufted puffin with dark body, white face, bright orange beak, and yellow plumes above its eyes, floats on the ocean

Photo by: Nathan Earley (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist

Photo by: Steve Ansell (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist

A Cassin's auklet, a dark coloured seabird, sleeping on the ground near vegetation

Photo by: IanLJones (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist

Why Action is Needed

What's at Stake?

Despite being the first marine National Wildlife Area in Canada, this marine protected area has weak protections. Bottom trawling, a fishing method involving heavy nets that destroy seafloor habitat, is allowed in much of the marine protected area. Shipping traffic heavily transits through the area, dumping hazardous waste into the ocean. Applying Canada’s Marine Protected Area Protection Standard would go a long way to safeguarding marine life and the ocean they depend on for survival.

Breeding and nesting habitat for 40% of seabirds in BC
Hosts over one million nesting seabirds each year
Important feeding area for millions of seabirds from around the world
Identified as an ‘Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area’

Solutions

CPAWS-BC is looking to advocate for a management plan co-developed with First Nations that includes Canada’s Marine Protected Area Protections Standard

Bottom trawling actively occurs on nearly 15% of the Scott Islands mNWA, harming the food sources of seabirds. Additionally, pollution and disturbance from heavy shipping activity threaten the resilience of seabirds and other marine life. Strengthening of current regulations, including implementing Canada’s Marine Protected Area Protection Standard are needed to ensure protection for this rich marine ecosystem is enhanced.